André Previn is, doubtlessly, a complex musician, having won 4 Oscar Awards for personally composing as many soundtracks, having directed, throughout his career as a brilliant conductor, ensembles, such as, the Houston Symphony Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra or the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and, last but not least, being a jazz loving pianist.

Which one of these activities does the musician hold closest to his heart?

“You are widely known for your conducting as well as your solo performances...

Do carry on, please...

You are enjoying it. You are a composer, as well. I tend to think that that was where your career in music began...

And I trust it is how it shall end. I’ve written in the last 8 to 10 years more than in the three decades before that. I am always on the road. Right now I have 8 concerts scheduled, but writing music is what I mostly enjoy because I don’t have to go very far. Wherever I find myself, I can write! I am used to writing in the airport. In fact, as long as I have a pencil and a piece of paper, I can compose anywhere.”

As a pianist, André Previn was involved in projects concerning jazz as well as chamber music. Art Tatum, Hank Jones, Oscar Peterson and Horace Silver were his landmarks in the world of jazz, as he, himself, confesses. As far as classical music goes Mozart, Gershwin, Poulenc and Shostakovich are only a few of the composers whose opuses were recorded in André Previn’s interpretation.

He learned during military service that he found conducting an orchestra very appealing. He was only 22 years old, at the time. It was then that he met Pierre Monteux, the one who would provide him with his first conducting lessons.

On Saturday, 6^th April, André Previn will turn 85, and it is for this reason that Radio Romania Music dedicates Friday’s Calendar Page to him, as part of the Arpeggio programme, broadcast on 4^th April, at 10:00, and hosted by Ana Voinescu. André Previn – the jazzman, will be the theme of Marina Nedelcu’s show, Jazz à la carte, which will be aired on the very day of the artist’s anniversary, 6^th April, at 12:30.

Author: Lucian Haralambie